whinny 1 of 2

verb

ˈ(h)wi-nē How to pronounce whinny (audio)
Definition of whinnynext
as in to neigh
to make the cry typical of a horse the father whinnied and reared as his young daughter pretended to ride him

Synonyms & Similar Words

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whinny

2 of 2

noun

as in screech

Related Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of whinny
Verb
McCaffrey is whinnying as the workhorse. — Brad Evans, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025 Waffles, patient and unbothered as onlookers walked around and stopped to gaze, nickered as another horse on the other side of the massive stalls whinnied. — Chris Torres, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
Dick gave a whinny and stared at the water. — Dolores Brown, Outdoor Life, 17 June 2026 The whinny is an unusual combination of both high and low-pitched sounds — like a cross between a grunt and a squeal — that come out at the same time. — Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whinny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whinny
  1. neigh
  2. screech
  3. nicker
  4. squeal
  5. bleat
  6. squawk
  7. bray
  8. roar
Verb
  • The series’ earnestly naïve sound design (horses neighing, cars revving) only enhanced my appreciation of Joudrey’s sophisticated storytelling.
    — Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
  • As such, the distinct sound that people hear when a horse neighs or whinnies is likely the animal relaying various independent messages or emotions at once, the study says.
    — Kate Perez, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
Definition of neigh
Noun
  • Equally notable throughout the game was the angry screech, reserved for whenever the Czech Republic players had the ball — or worse — were given a free kick.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 26 June 2026
  • Guests range from ordinary commuters to figures like Cate Blanchett and Julian Casablancas, all subject to the same fluorescent lighting and ambient subway screech.
    — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 19 June 2026
Definition of screech
Verb
  • Waffles, patient and unbothered as onlookers walked around and stopped to gaze, nickered as another horse on the other side of the massive stalls whinnied.
    — Chris Torres, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Jan. 2026
Definition of nicker
Noun
  • From the pig trailer came a bang, followed by a muffled squeal.
    — Will Mackin, New Yorker, 28 June 2026
  • In response, the paddlers near the front of the canoe momentarily pause their paddling and squeal as the sea lion splashes them.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
Definition of squeal
Noun
  • Is that noise coming from Jack Tobias’ synth, Rosenstock’s guitar pedals, or Zack Borzone’s bleat?
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 11 June 2026
  • Late that afternoon, Flint was sitting quietly against his tree and using a Primos can call to make bleats.
    — Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 3 Dec. 2025
Definition of bleat
Noun
  • Air traffic control at Heathrow cleared the flight for a priority return after the pilots issued a squawk 7700 — the code for a general emergency.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
  • He was missed — especially vocally — since Gill’s angelic voice does not, in any way shape or form, resemble Walsh’s charmingly out-of-pitch squawk-talk style.
    — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 25 Jan. 2026
Definition of squawk
Noun
  • Timbaland’s eerie, minimalist production — stuttering beat patterns, yawning silences between drum hits, synth riffs that bray and heave — was the ideal vehicle for Elliott’s slaloming, heavily syncopated raps.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
  • My father mistakes it for the verb to bray, like a donkey.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
Definition of bray
Noun
  • Military flyovers added to the atmosphere, with the roar of aircraft overhead loud enough to make seats visibly vibrate.
    — Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026
  • But with altitude and the roar of support from their fans, 2026 may become a new marker in their story.
    — Alex Connor, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Definition of roar

Browse Nearby Words

whinnies
whinny
whinnying
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Cite this Entry

“Whinny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whinny. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on whinny

Nglish: Translation of whinny for Spanish Speakers

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